Summary

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently announced the cost-of-living adjustments to the applicable dollar limits for various employer-sponsored retirement and welfare plans for 2018. Although some of the dollar limits currently in effect for 2017 will remain the same, the majority of the limits will experience minor increases for 2018. 

In Depth

Recently the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Social Security Administration announced the cost-of-living adjustments to the applicable dollar limits on various employer-sponsored retirement and welfare plans and the Social Security wage base for 2018.  The table below compares the applicable dollar limits for certain employee benefit programs and the Social Security wage base for 2017 and 2018.*

RETIREMENT PLAN LIMITS

2017

2018

Annual compensation limit

$270,000

$275,000

401(k), 403(b) & 457(b) before-tax contributions

$18,000

$18,500

Catch-up contributions (if age 50 or older)

$6,000

$6,000

Highly compensated employee threshold

$120,000

$120,000

Key employee officer compensation threshold

$175,000

$175,000

Defined benefit plan annual benefit and accrual limit

$215,000

$220,000

Defined contribution plan annual contribution limit

$54,000

$55,000

Employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) limit for determining the length of the general five-year distribution plan

$215,000

$220,000

ESOP limit for determining the maximum account balance subject to the general five-year distribution period

$1,080,000

$1,105,000

HEALTH AND WELFARE PLAN LIMITS

 

 

Health Flexible Spending Accounts

 

 

Maximum salary reduction limit

$2,600

$2,650

High Deductible Health Plans (HDHP) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA)

 

 

HDHP – Maximum annual out-of-pocket limit (excluding premiums):

 

 

Self-only coverage

$6,550

$6,650

Family coverage

$13,100

$13,300

HDHP – Minimum annual deductible:

 

 

Self-only coverage

$1,300

$1,350

Family coverage

$2,600

$2,700

HSA – Annual contribution limit:

 

 

Self-only coverage

$3,400

$3,450

Family coverage

$6,750

$6,900

Catch-up contributions (age 55 or older)

$1,000

$1,000

SOCIAL SECURITY WAGE BASE

 

 

Social Security Maximum Taxable Earnings (dollars)

$127,200

$128,700

 

Plan sponsors should update payroll and plan administration systems for the 2018 cost-of-living adjustments and should incorporate the new limits in relevant participant communications, like open enrollment materials and summary plan descriptions.

For further information about applying the new IRS employee benefit plan limits for 2018, contact your regular McDermott lawyer.

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* The dollar limits are generally applied on a calendar year basis; however, certain dollar limits are applied on a plan-year, tax-year, or limitation-year basis.

IRS Announces Employee Benefit Plan Limits for 2018

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.